Chum Salmon

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) are also known as Dog Salmon because of their long teeth; the longest teeth among the extant Pacific salmon species. Chum Salmon in the Prince William Sound area spawn alongside or near to Pink Salmon including the intertidal. As well, Chum salmon will smolt soon after emerging from the redd but unlike Pink salmon are not silvery and have parr marks not too different from those of Sockeye Salmon.

Two pairs of Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) on redds in the shallows of Hartney Creek alongside a massive school of migrating salmon in deeper water (upper right) in this topside view. A competing male is attacking the male courting one of females (lower pair in frame). Other males hoping to sneak-spawn with one of these females wait nearby.

An alpha male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) gapes while courting the female just ahead of him signaling his intentions to her as well as threatening two rival and gaping males. As well, another female watches as she is guarding her redd just downstream. Also visible at the top of the frame in this topside view is a school of migrating salmon in deeper water.

Mature male Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) size each other while competing over a female. Alpha male, closer to the viewpoint, has larger teeth than the other male. Underwater view in an Alaskan stream during the summer.